Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not participate in the National Conference’s proposed statehood protest at Jantar Mantar, describing it as an “eye wash” aimed at diverting attention from the real issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Sharma questioned the status of the Chief Minister’s promised signature campaign for the restoration of statehood, asking why it had not been taken forward.
He alleged that the ruling National Conference was using the statehood issue to divert public attention from governance failures and accused the government of failing to deliver on key election promises.
Sharma also criticised the government’s outsourcing policy, calling it an “appointment scam.” He claimed that deserving youth were being denied employment opportunities while appointments were allegedly being made through backdoor methods. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the policy and warned that the BJP would intensify its protests if the decision was not reversed.
The BJP leader announced that the party would begin its agitation in Kashmir with a protest outside the Civil Secretariat before expanding the movement across Jammu and Kashmir.
He further accused the government of failing to fulfil promises such as providing 200 units of free electricity, 10 kilograms of free ration, one lakh jobs and free LPG cylinders.
Responding to questions about joining the NC-led statehood protest in Delhi, Sharma categorically ruled it out, saying the BJP would not support the demonstration. He maintained that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood remains the BJP’s commitment and would be achieved through Parliament rather than street protests.
Sharma also alleged corruption in several government departments and called for a thorough investigation into the allegations, saying it was the responsibility of the Opposition to raise public concerns and hold the government accountable.(Agencies)
